Lent is a season of prayer and penance set apart by the Church to prepare us for Easter and to recall Our Lord’s fast in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13). This season of preparation and sanctification can be fittingly accomplished through prayer, voluntary amendment of life, acts of penance, and works of charity. Lent is a time to learn to love our souls more than our bodies. It is a special invitation from the Church to focus more intensely on the Christian call to perfection. How will you enter into this season?
Prayer: Spend time with the Lord. Make an intentional effort to find quiet time throughout the season to listen to His voice. Invite His presence into every moment of your life.
Eg.: Pray the rosary every day, attend daily Mass as much as possible, read Sacred Scripture for a determined amount of time every day, increase spiritual reading, make a daily visit to the Blessed Sacrament, etc.
Voluntary Amendment of Life & Acts of Penance: Give up those things that you need to give up sooner or later. The goal of penance, or fasting, is to say “no” in little things so that you can say “no” to big temptations later. It’s also good to consider those things that you need to give up sooner or later, namely, bad habits. Love your soul more than your body!
Eg.: Give up gossiping, mindlessly surfing the web or “doom scrolling,” watching T.V. in excess, using the snooze button, listening to base music, using crass language, etc.; Avoid eating or drinking something you enjoy, give up eating out, taking hot showers, drinking alcohol, etc.
Almsgiving & Works of Charity: Perform some good and holy action(s). Your goal here is to strengthen your relationship with Christ and His Church. Ideally, what you start during the season would continue even after Lent is over.
Eg.: Volunteer at the Impact Youth Center, Bethany House, Buddies, or the Warming Center, Donate to a local charity like the Birthrite, support missionary efforts, etc.
No matter how you enter into the season, Campus Ministry is here to support you! Mass is celebrated on Sunday in STM at 10:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Monday-Friday at 12:15 p.m. Confessions are heard an hour before both Sunday Masses and by request. We offer all-day Adoration on Fridays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the chapel on the second floor of Saint Mary’s Hall. Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday at 3 p.m. in STM. Follow Campus Ministry on Instagram for the latest updates and events.
We’re praying for you! Happy Lent.
